Tires Cost

How Much Do Tires Cost?

The recommended tire size, speed rating and load rating for a specific make and model of vehicle will be listed on a placard in the doorjamb, glove compartment, trunk lid or fuel-filler door, as well as in the owners' manual and marked on the sidewall of each tire. Discount Tires explains how to read tire codes[1] .

Typical costs:

Standard all-season car tires for everyday driving can cost $50-$200 each but average about $80-$150, depending on size and warranty. These tires are typically for 14"-18"-diameter wheels and have treadwear warranties between 40,000 and 100,000 miles for two to five years, whichever comes first (the tire will be replaced if the tread wears out early). For example, the Hankook Optimo H727[2] with a 100,000-mile or five-year warranty costs about $65-$85 for a 14" wheel and $140-$170 for 18". CostHelper readers report paying $50-$290 per tire for car tires (in sets of two or four), at an average cost of $139 per tire, installed.

Standard all-season SUV or light-truck tires for everyday driving can cost $60-$350 each but average about $100-$250, typically with a 50,000-70,000-mile treadwear warranty and a relatively car-like ride, for 15"-20" wheels. The Michelin LTX M/S2[3] has a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty and costs about $144-$160 each for 15" wheels or $225-$300 for 20".

All-terrain SUV or light-truck tires for moderate winter climates or for both off-road and on-road driving can cost $110-$750 or more, but average about $150-$250 each; they have a less-car-like ride and shorter tread life (many carry no treadwear warranty), and typically fit 15"-20" wheels. The Cooper Discoverer A/T3[4] (55,000-mile treadwear warranty) costs about $120-$190 for a 15" wheel and $200-$310 for 20".

Winter or snow tires can cost $60-$550 or more each for 14"-20" wheel diameters; it averages about $100-$150 per tire for a typical car and $200-$400 for an SUV or light truck, depending on size and type of tire.

Sometimes called summer tires and typically used on sports cars or luxury performance sedans, high-performance or ultra-high-performance tires can cost $100-$1,400 each, with 15"-22" wheel diameters and 40,000-70,000-mile treadwear warranties (but ultra-high performance tires often have no treadwear coverage). For example, Michelin Pilot Super Sport Ultra-High Performance Summer Tires[5] cost about $160-$340 for 17" and $385-$520 for 22" wheels; they are speed-rated for up to 186 mph but the warranty only covers manufacturing damages or defects, not treadwear.

Installation typically includes removing the old tire from the wheel and installing the new tire, with balancing and rotation (if needed).

Modern car vehicle suspension systems work best with matching tires, and many experts recommend replacing all four tires at once. If one tire is replaced, the replacement must be an exact match for the other three tires; if two are replaced, they must match the remaining two.

Treadwear warranties are usually prorated, meaning the more miles on the tire, the less credit given toward a replacement if the tread wears out while still under warranty.

Additional costs:

Tire retailers may suggest additional services, such as a wheel alignment($20-$400) or replacing the brake pads($130-$190 per axle). A wheel alignment is only necessary if the old tires wore unevenly, or if the vehicle pulls to one side when steering; it is not standard when installing new tires. Brake work is only needed if the pads or other parts are worn.

Discounts:

Most retailers offer a discount on a set of four tires. For example, Firestone[6] periodically advertises a "buy three, get one free" tire special.

Shopping for tires:

Tires are available from tire dealers like Big O Tires[7] or Goodyear[8] ; repair or parts shops like Meinekie[9] or Pep Boys[10] ; automotive departments at retailers like Costco[11] or Sears[12] ; or through online retailers like TireRack.com[13] .

Some shops include a valve stem, tire mounting and wheel balancing in the cost of the tire, while others may charge an additional $2-$25 per wheel for these needed installation services. When comparing prices, ask for the "out the door" or "all in" cost, which should include these services plus any sales tax and state or local tire-related environmental fees.

10 Most Popular Cosmetic Procedures Before the HolidaysWith reunions and other get-togethers scheduled during the holiday season, most people want to look their best at this time of year. For some, that means filling in those wrinkles with a bit of botox, or having a nip and tuck down here and there. || Posted November 23 2013

4 brand-new tires with installation, with General Altimax RT43's, recommended by consumer reports. Was worried I was getting ripped off, since the tires themselves cost only $92 each, but looking up average out-the-door and installation costs assuaged my worries.

After spending a few hours online, researching prices and general tire information, I found Farm&Fleet to offer the best prices overall. Declined optional/additional coverage for $12.99/tire. Total cost including installation was just over $370/4 tires. Unfortunately they aren't a national chain store and found only in the upper Midwest but it definitely pays to research, have your car aligned and replace tires before they fail you, especially if you live somewhere with nasty winters. And endanger other drivers/riders at the same time..

I haven't bought tires in about six years. Been shopping around. These days you have the Environment fee and tire disposal fees added to the price of the tires. Now the tire companies charge to install the tires you just paid for. Pep Boys charges $99 for balancing and installation of tires and America's Tire charges $64. It's a rip off to pay that much extra plus every tire shop I've seen over-torques the nuts which can weaken the studs enough where they'll break off or the uneven torquing of the nuts can cause warped rotors.

My wife went to Discout Tire to fix a flat and was told thread too low to repair and have her replace the front set. they were warranty for 65K miles. The total out of pocket she charged on her CC is $253.00 including alignment, balance, dispense old tires, lifetime fix-flat+balance protection and tax. How is this normal to everyone?All, please include other cost so we can compare.Thanks,

Went into NTB for their buy 2 get two sale. Read the fine print. Only available on certain tires. Had them print me out an estimate. Must purchase other services and items in order to get the two free tires. Total cost was more than just purchasing the same 4 tires not on sale. Total scam. The Attorney General should look into this.

I got 4 Yokohama YK520 245/45/17 for around $730ish including lifetime road hazard and rotation at Discount tire. I had the exact same tire set before that lasted long. Good High performance all season tire set for my car that should be very durable

Posted by: Wow'd in bullhead city by a small but powerful tire shop!!!! in Bullhead city, AZ.

Posted: February 9th, 2011 08:02PM

Car Make: Nissan

Car Model: Altima

Number of Tires: 4

Tire Brand: Kuhmo

I got 4 brand new tires from the owner himself. This guy had the worlds best service. Not only did he take the time to find out what kind of driving conditions I would be driving in, but he also installed them also. When ever I need tires, I will always go to him. He even picked my car up from my job and did my tires while I was working. How cool was that! I recommend everyone go to them!! But there in bullhead city, Arizona. (702)767-8472 or (928)704-0603!!

We selected an all season, high mile tire with an 80,000 mile warranty. With install, etc it ran about $680 total, with a $60 rebate offered. We didn't shop around ahead. They offered a replacement warranty for an extra $69.

I ordered these online and had installed in the store. The price includes the cost of install and the road hazard warranty they push. I only let him add the warranty because he gave me a discount so it was almost free.

When you go to Sears, PepBoys, NTW to get the tires advertised on sale, they don't have them, they have to order them, but they do have others that cost a lot more. And to get the sale price (buy4 get 1 free etc.) have to buy $200 of extras!!!! How come nobody is doing anything about this??? It's such a scam and they ALL play the same game. Thay are all in Cahoots???

Spent $485 getting medium quality Goodyear tires for Honda Accord, 195/65/15 size in Just Tires store. They have special rebate from tire manufacturers if you buy all 4. For this I ended up getting $80 rebate, so total cost is $400 incl, tax, alignment, install, disposal fee, and 3 year warranty.

Went to McClem Tire in Athens, AL because we had a flat and the rest were getting low on tread. Great experience, only took an hour to take off old tires, put new on, and total price was about $380. I think we got a good deal and excellent service, they also do free rotation when we go back.

I've done all my business there, purchased new tires last May, had a flat, a break inspection, and installed new breaks all in that time, had a 50,000 mile warranty.

I went there yesterday to repair a flat, as they do for free. Not only did I not get the flat repaired, the employee told me my tire was down to secondary rubber and immediately told me I needed 4 new tires, 2 were damaged, and the other were ok. He said it was due to alignment. I've been there 5 times prior to this date, as recent as 5 months ago, my tires have had only 30,000 miles on them, and they are not going to warrant the guarantee due to 'alignment wear'.

I thought this was amazing, after all the work they've done on my vehicle in that time, there was not one mention of me needing an alignment until this day. I truly feel it's due to the economy, and the upcoming weather, and them wanting to sell tires.

I'd just be wary for these things, I declined and found the invoice and warranty and will be showing them the mileage, and asking for 4 new tires at a discount price.

I've bought two sets of Kumho tires from TireRack.com, and I'm pretty happy with the way things have gone so far. A set of Ecsta ASXs for my Mazda and a set of Solus KH16s for my Honda. Sure, I don't get free rotations at the store, but I've saved money (about half the price of the OEM tires).

For some reason, not a lot of local stores seem to stock Kumhos, so I've ordered from TireRack -- which has a pretty good website for educating oneself on tires.

Both sets of tires have less than 10,000 miles on them, so I can't comment on their durability, but they both have treadwear numbers over 400, so hopefully I'll get close to the mileage I got out of the OEM tires (which were Dunlop and Michelin).

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

Power WashingPaid: 280.00Highly recommended.Jerry came and gave a free estimate. They pressure washed my walkway and driveway which is nice size and patio area. Did a fantastic job... [more]

Extraction & Bone graftPaid: 4200.0012 teeth (upper) extracted. Felt pain of every tooth being pulled. Worse Dental experience ever. Had Novocain and Laughing gas. Told dentists I was in pain and she just kept shooting more Novocain into my gums. Told a total of 5 hours... [more]